Retaining office staff is crucial for maintaining a stable and productive work environment. High turnover can be costly and disrupt the workflow. Here are some tips to help you retain your office staff: Hiring the Right People: Start by hiring individuals who are a good fit for your organization's culture and values. Ensure that their skills and qualifications align with … [Read more...] about How to retain your office staff
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When a full-time employee works a second full-time job
By Lynne Curry Question: I supervise a talented but difficult employee, whose performance has always been spotty but recently went downhill. Lately, “Scott” has dragged himself into the office every morning. He looks exhausted. His eyelids half-close during staff meetings. Because I felt concerned, I asked him if he was okay. He said he was just working too hard. He … [Read more...] about When a full-time employee works a second full-time job
The art of proofreading in a law office: Ensuring precision and professionalism
In the world of law, precision and attention to detail are paramount. Legal documents and communications must be meticulously crafted to protect the rights and interests of clients and uphold the integrity of the legal profession. Proofreading is an essential skill for law office staff, as it plays a crucial role in maintaining accuracy, credibility, and professionalism. In … [Read more...] about The art of proofreading in a law office: Ensuring precision and professionalism
You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
By Lynne Curry Question: I’m a partner in a professional services firm. We barely survived the pandemic and only because we furloughed all nonessential employees. Those of us who were partners worked unpaid part of the time. We kept ourselves going by promising ourselves that “things would get back to normal.” Our company recovered slowly. We rehired many of the employees we … [Read more...] about You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
Start planning now for a smooth holiday season
As autumn colors the landscape, the winter holiday season seems far away. But it's not too soon to plan for the smooth operation of your practice during the festive time. Here are some tasks you should get to soon: Planning and communicating holiday schedules Establishing Clear Holiday Schedules: The first step in effective holiday scheduling is crafting a clear and … [Read more...] about Start planning now for a smooth holiday season
15 projects for the last quarter of the year
Running out of things to do? Just kidding. But in case you are, here are some projects to consider for the last quarter of the year. Financial Review and Budgeting: a. Review the year-to-date financial statements to assess the firm's financial health. b. Prepare a budget for the upcoming year, considering revenue, expenses, and capital investments. c. Ensure all client … [Read more...] about 15 projects for the last quarter of the year
How to calm down the angry client and hold on to the business
The client is angry. The client is upset about the bill. The client says the firm did work that wasn't approved. The client may be ready to walk. There's a way to salvage that relationship, says law management consultant William Cobb of Cobb Consulting in Houston. It calls for tact, saying the right things, and giving the issue full and close personal attention. Take a … [Read more...] about How to calm down the angry client and hold on to the business
Make a good impression with your email closing
How you end a business email can leave a lasting impression on the recipient. The right closing can make your email feel more professional and polished, while a poor closing can detract from the message you’re trying to convey. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and best practices for concluding your business emails in a way that leaves a positive impression on your … [Read more...] about Make a good impression with your email closing
And you are … ? How to prepare your elevator speech
Do you have an elevator speech ready? An elevator speech, also known as an elevator pitch, is a concise and well-prepared verbal summary or introduction that you can deliver in the time it takes to ride an elevator, typically around 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The goal of an elevator speech is to effectively communicate who you are, what you do, and what you or your … [Read more...] about And you are … ? How to prepare your elevator speech
The art of delegating to increase firm revenues
By Elizabeth Miller Law firms are unique in that unlike most other businesses which sell a product, lawyers sell time. Their time is, for a better description, “their stock in trade”. Based on this concept, to be profitable and generate sufficient revenues to carry the firm, lawyers should be spending their valuable time doing client billable work. The exception to this are … [Read more...] about The art of delegating to increase firm revenues